John Herbst about changes in Ukraine and how it will impact on its future

John Herbst, the former US Ambassador to Ukraine explains his vision of Ukrainian reforms, especially in fighting with corruption, and how they impact on the development. Also he evaluates the possibility of our country future cooperation with the IMF and describes the change in Ukrainian image on the world scene. Could the Ukrainian authorities act differently and bring the country out of the crisis? How the peculiar political circumstances of Ukraine can take attention away from the country’s development?

In particular, estimating the achievements of previous Ukrainian government, John Herbst noted:

- A lot of progress was achieved by President Poroshenko and PM Yatsenyuk and their Ministers in 2015 – it was difficult for Ukrainian economy but they turned the economy around last year. We’ve all seen great falls in gross national product (GDP – Gross Domestic Product) in first three quarters of the year. But by the fourth quarter it stopped. They greatly reduced Ukrainian dependence on Russian energy, they greatly reduced the balance on payments deficits and the budget deficits. All of these are the great achievements.

I’m not personally really concerned about the predominance of one party or another in this government. It’s not my role to say who should occupy these jobs but someone who cares deeply about Ukraine, are committed to reform and have a high level of competence. That’s the most important thing.

The second point I go back to the idea that you need to have someone committed to reform ideas as the Prosecutor General. Someone committed to the prosecution based upon laws and the breaking of laws, not political instructions. And I think that interested governments, interested observers will be looking to some NGO committees, to people who know a lot about law in Ukraine, who know a lot about the judicial system. Their instincts, their observations will probably help to form the views of what person should occupy this position.

Troubles of the new system and its perspectives – in interview with the US diplomat.